Oregon Public Broadcasting

All three candidates for Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District seat met up Friday at a forum hosted by the Salem City Club.

With Oregon’s unemployment rate still relatively high, Republican Scott Bruun, and Democratic incumbent Kurt Schrader talked about jobs.

Bruun is a state legislator.  He hammered Schrader’s work in Congress, but also referred to him as a serious, hardworking candidate.

Scott Bruun  “I, for one, believe 2010 is the most important election of our lifetime. Do you believe America is on the wrong course. If you believe that, I think I’m your guy.”

Schrader said he agreed with Bruun on one point -- that this year’s election choice is clear.

Kurt Schrader “I don’t know about you but I don’t like going back to that trajectory we had before this last Congress? Anybody remember who bought AIG? Who bailed out the big banks? Who bought Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? Who got us the one-trillion dollar deficit?”

This was the only forum so far to include Green Party candidate Chris Lugo. He articulated a platform of peace and justice.  That won some applause from the Salem City Club audience.

Editor's Note

The original version of this story incorrectly identified Congressional candidate Scott Bruun. Bruun is a current member of the Oregon state legislature. OPB regrets the error.